Great site

I used all the info on this site to build a really simple (and really small) drum practice booth. My snare registers about 103 DB if I hit it very hard. Now - just outside the booth it only registers 74. I did this using only 1 layer of 7/16 OSB on the inside and 1 layer of 3/4 pine panels on the outside (the pine was a waste of money - but wifey thinks it looks nice) . I built the booth in my basement on top of those cheap interlocking panels from Target. I also used two Lexan panels for a window (1/4 and 3/8). The window is such a weak link that I doubt I'm going to even add any more layers to the leaves - it won't help if the windows aren't as good at blocking sound. The distance between the leaves is about 4 inches. I have some pics if anybody is interested. It's a bit of a hack job - but works for now and will allow me to practice (but not at full rockstar volume). This booth is temporary - until I buy a cheaper house and do it the right way. Anyway - great site - I read just about everything on here and tried to follow as much as I could.

I'd like to see some pics. Post 'em up! Ben

Here are some pics of the drum booth I built. I would not use this as a recommended way of doing anything for several reasons: 1. I used screws instead of nails so that I could work at night, and it would be easier to take apart (so far - none have broken <s>) 2. I used 2x4's put in sideways to decouple the walls 3. I built a perfect cube - 6x6x6 (not good for sound) 4. I used 3/4 inch pine panels on the outside and 7/16 inch OSB on the inside (I didn't want the mess of sheetrock as I built this in an already finished basement) 5. I used lexan instead of glass for the window. That said - I think I achieved a somewhat decent sound reduction - about 30DB for the high sounds, about 25 for low. (measured with a radio shack DB level meter) What I *would* do again 1. I used 1/4 and 3/8 lexan - this seems to work OK to use different thicknesses. Also - I built the window frames on the inside and outside of the booth - making the separation between window panes nearly 6 inches. I used lots and lots of weatherstripping around the windows. 2. I used lots of caulk and weatherstripping wherever I could not get a caulk gun in. I did not use accoustic cauld as this booth is temporary. 3. I built my own door by using pine panels put together with gorrilla glue and 2x4's. This worked suprisingly well. But I would buy a door next time. 4. I built the whole thing on 4x4' on top of interlocking workout tiles on top of carpet on top of a cement floor in my basement. This is temporary - if and when I do it again - I think the best way would be to build separate frames, use nails, use sheetrock, make it BIGGER, and use laminated glass for windows. Right now - I could add more layers on the inside or outside - but all my sound would leak through the door or windows or the part of the frame that is connected to both sides, so I am not going to bother.